Editing Buchanan, Virginia

{{Distinguish|Buchanan County, Virginia}}
{{Use American English|date=March 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Buchanan, Virginia
|settlement_type          = [[Town]]
|motto                    =

<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline            = TrinityEpiscopalChurchBuchanan.jpg
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = Trinity Episcopal Church in Buchanan, Virginia (1842)
|image_flag               = 
|image_seal               = Seal of Buchanan, Virginia.png

<!-- Maps -->
|image_map                = VAMap-doton-Buchanan.PNG
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location of Buchanan, Virginia
|image_map1               = 
|mapsize1                 = 
|map_caption1             =

<!-- Location -->
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Virginia]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Virginia|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Botetourt County, Virginia|Botetourt]]

<!-- Government -->
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = 
|leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name              = Tristan Harris<ref>{{cite web |title=Directory |url=https://www.buchanan-va.gov/directory |website=www.buchanan-va.gov |publisher=Town of Buchanan |access-date=18 May 2024}}</ref>
|leader_title1            = [[City manager|Town Manager]]
|leader_name1             = Angela Lawrence<ref>{{cite web |title=Buchanan Town Council Appoints a New Town Manager |url=https://www.buchanan-va.gov/news-events/page/buchanan-town-council-appoints-new-town-manager |publisher=Town of Buchanan |access-date=7 December 2024}}</ref>
|established_title        = 
|established_date         =

<!-- Area -->
|unit_pref  = Imperial
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web|title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_51.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 7, 2020}}</ref>
|area_magnitude           = 
|area_total_sq_mi         = 2.21
|area_land_sq_mi          = 2.17
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.05

<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_footnotes     = 
|population_total         = 1196
|population_density_sq_mi = auto

<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
|utc_offset               = -5
|timezone_DST             = EDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -4
|elevation_footnotes      = 
|elevation_m              = 259
|elevation_ft             = 850
|coordinates              = {{coord|37|31|31|N|79|41|0|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP Code]]
|postal_code              = 24066
|area_code                = [[Area codes 540 and 826|540 and 826]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 51-10744<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref>
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 1492652<ref name="GR3">{{cite web|url=http://geonames.usgs.gov|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=US Board on Geographic Names|publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]|date=October 25, 2007}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|www.buchanan-va.gov}}
|footnotes                = 
|pop_est_as_of = 
|pop_est_footnotes = 
|population_est = 
|area_total_km2 = 5.74
|area_land_km2 = 5.62
|area_water_km2 = 0.12
|population_density_km2 = auto
}}
'''Buchanan''' ({{IPAc-en|b|ə|ˈ|k|æ|n|ə|n}} {{Respell|bə|KAN|ən}}) is a town in [[Botetourt County, Virginia]], United States. The population was 1,196 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]]. It is part of the [[Roanoke metropolitan area]]. It was the western terminus of the [[James River and Kanawha Canal]] when construction on the canal ended.

==History==
Buchanan was incorporated in 1832.<ref name="1855 Gazetteer">{{cite book| last=Edwards| first=Richard| title=Statistical Gazetteer of the State of Virginia| date=1855| publisher=Richard Edwards| location=Richmond, Virginia| page=[https://archive.org/details/statisticalgazet00edwa/page/189 189]| url=https://archive.org/details/statisticalgazet00edwa}}</ref> The town of '''Pattonsburg''' was founded on the opposite side of the [[James River]] (named for [[James Patton (Virginia colonist)|Colonel James Patton]]), and was connected to Buchanan via a bridge.<ref name="1855 Gazetteer"/> An 1855 gazetteer described Buchanan and Pattonsburg together containing "3 or 4 churches, 1 bank, 1 printing office, and several tobacco factories and mills."<ref name="1855 Gazetteer"/> Buchanan was named for Virginia colonist [[John Buchanan (Virginia colonist)|John Buchanan]] (died 1769), a soldier and landowner who built Fort Fauquier on the James River, just south of the town.<ref name="northamericanforts.com">[https://www.northamericanforts.com/East/vasowest.html#bote North American Forts: Southwestern Virginia]</ref><ref name="ReferenceA">Robert Douthat Stoner, ''A Seed-bed of the Republic: a study of the pioneers in the upper (Southern) valley of Virginia,'' Roanoke: Roanoke Historical Society, 1962</ref>

The [[Buchanan Historic District]], [[Buchanan Theatre]], [[Greyledge]], [[Lauderdale (Buchanan, Virginia)|Lauderdale]], [[Looney Mill Creek Site]], and [[Wilson Warehouse]] are listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2010a}}</ref>

[[Image:FootBridgeJamesRiverBuchananVASmaller.jpg|thumb|The swinging bridge across the [[James River]] in Buchanan, Virginia. Constructed in 1938, the piers of the bridge were built in 1851.]]

==Geography==
Buchanan is located at {{coord|37|31|31|N|79|41|0|W|type:city}} (37.525177, -79.683405).<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref>

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of {{convert|5.8|sqkm|order=flip}}, of which {{convert|5.6|sqkm|order=flip}} is land and {{convert|0.1|sqkm|order=flip}}, or 2.09%, is water.<ref name="Census 2010">{{cite web| url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US5110744| archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212203619/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US5110744| url-status=dead| archive-date=February 12, 2020| title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Buchanan town, Virginia| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder| access-date=May 1, 2014}}</ref>

===Climate===
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters.  According to the [[Köppen Climate Classification]] system, Buchanan has a [[humid subtropical climate]], abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.<ref>[http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=121144&cityname=Buchanan%2C+Virginia%2C+United+States+of+America&units= Climate Summary for Buchanan, Virginia]</ref>

{{Weather box   <!-- Infobox begins -->
| single line = Y
| location    = Buchanan, Virginia (1991–2020)
<!-- Average high temperatures -->
| Jan high F  =44.1
| Feb high F  =48.8
| Mar high F  =56.8
| Apr high F  =69.5
| May high F  =76.6
| Jun high F  =83.4
| Jul high F  =86.5
| Aug high F  =84.8
| Sep high F  =78.8
| Oct high F  =68.1
| Nov high F  =56.5
| Dec high F  =47.3
<!-- Mean daily temperature -->
| Jan mean F  =35.5
| Feb mean F  =38.6
| Mar mean F  =45.9
| Apr mean F  =56.8
| May mean F  =65.3
| Jun mean F  =73.1
| Jul mean F  =76.9
| Aug mean F  =75.4
| Sep mean F  =69.0
| Oct mean F  =57.5
| Nov mean F  =46.0
| Dec mean F  =38.5
<!-- Average low temperatures -->
| Jan low F  =26.9
| Feb low F  =28.5
| Mar low F  =35.1
| Apr low F  =44.0
| May low F  =54.0
| Jun low F  =62.8
| Jul low F  =67.3
| Aug low F  =66.0
| Sep low F  =59.2
| Oct low F  =47.0
| Nov low F  =35.5
| Dec low F  =29.8
<!-- Total precipitation, this should include rain and snow. -->
| precipitation colour    =  green
| Jan precipitation inch  =3.16
| Feb precipitation inch  =2.68
| Mar precipitation inch  =3.69
| Apr precipitation inch  =3.82
| May precipitation inch  =4.44
| Jun precipitation inch  =3.94
| Jul precipitation inch  =4.54
| Aug precipitation inch  =3.03
| Sep precipitation inch  =4.13
| Oct precipitation inch  =3.41
| Nov precipitation inch  =3.28
| Dec precipitation inch  =3.49
<!-- Snowfall -->
| Jan snow inch  =2.5
| Feb snow inch  =2.3
| Mar snow inch  =1.8
| Apr snow inch  =0.1
| May snow inch  =0.0
| Jun snow inch  =0.0
| Jul snow inch  =0.0
| Aug snow inch  =0.0
| Sep snow inch  =0.0
| Oct snow inch  =0.0
| Nov snow inch  =0.0
| Dec snow inch  =4.7
<!-- Mandatory fields, source -->
| source = NOAA<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/us-climate-normals/#dataset=normals-monthly&timeframe=30&station=USC00441121 |title=NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access |publisher=NOAA |access-date=2025-03-06 }}</ref>
}}<!-- Infobox ends -->

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1880= 414
|1890= 802
|1900= 716
|1910= 792
|1920= 802
|1930= 825
|1940= 868
|1950= 1300
|1960= 1349
|1970= 1326
|1980= 1205
|1990= 1222
|2000= 1233
|2010= 1178
|2020= 1196
|estyear=
|estimate=
|estref=
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}

===2020 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2020, there were 1,196 people living in the town. The [[population density]] was 540 people per square mile (210/km<sup>2</sup>). There were 596 housing units. The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|racial makeup]] of the town was 91.9% White, 3.1% Black, 0.3% American Indian, 0.3% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 0.8% Other, and 3.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.8% of the population.

===2000 census===
As of the census<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 1,233 people, 540 households, and 359 families living in the town. The population density was 510.1 people per square mile (196.7/km<sup>2</sup>). There were 579 housing units at an average density of 239.5 per square mile (92.4/km<sup>2</sup>). The racial makeup of the town was 90.84% White, 7.95% African American, 0.08% Native American, 0.32% Asian, and 0.81% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.73% of the population.

There were 540 households, out of which 25.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.5% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.5% were non-families. 29.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.79.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 20.6% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 29.2% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 19.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.1 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $32,500, and the median income for a family was $37,443. Males had a median income of $29,405 versus $20,565 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $16,238. About 6.9% of families and 10.5% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 14.2% of those under age 18 and 9.2% of those age 65 or over.

==Government==
Buchanan operates a [[Council–manager government|council–manager]] form of government. Buchanan Town Council is composed of a mayor and four council members who are elected at-large.

The [[United States Postal Service]] operates the Buchanan Post Office within the town.

==Education==
The town is served by [[Botetourt County Public Schools]]. Public school students residing in Buchanan are zoned to attend Buchanan Elementary School, Central Academy Middle School, and [[James River High School (Buchanan, Virginia)|James River High School]].

The closest higher education institutions are located in [[Hollins, Virginia|Hollins]], [[Lexington, Virginia|Lexington]], and [[Roanoke, Virginia|Roanoke]].

==Infrastructure==
The Town operates its own water and sanitary sewer systems.

===Public safety===
Law enforcement is provided by the Botetourt County Sheriff's Office.

Fire protection services are provided by the Botetourt County Department of Fire and EMS. The department operates a fire station within the town. Historically, the Buchanan Volunteer Fire Department was responsible for fire protection in the town and surrounding areas. However, in 2012, the volunteer department dissolved its charter and transitioned into a volunteer component of the county's fire and EMS department.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Benson |first1=Cathy |title=Supervisors approves plan and disbursements of assets and liabilites for Buchanan Volunteer Fire Department |url=https://roanoke.com/lifestyles/supervisors-approves-plan-and-disbursements-of-assets-and-liabilites-for-buchanan-volunteer-fire-department/article_c8548bf0-1281-597c-a344-8ef940e18da3.html |website=roanoke.com |publisher=The Roanoke Times |access-date=18 May 2024}}</ref>

[[Emergency medical services]] are also provided by the Botetourt County Department of Fire and EMS. The department operates an ambulance out of the Buchanan fire station. Previously, the Buchanan Rescue Squad provided emergency medical services to the town and surrounding area. In 2010, Botetourt County began taking measures to aid the rescue squad which had been struggling with low volunteer participation.<ref>{{cite web |title=Officials discuss helping strained Buchanan Rescue Squad |url=https://fincastleherald.com/officials-discuss-helping-strained-buchanan-rescue-squad/ |website=www.fincastleherald.com |publisher=The Fincastle Herald |access-date=18 May 2024}}</ref>

==Transportation==
===Airports===
The [[Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport]] is the closest airport with commercial service to the town.

===Roads===
[[U.S. Route 11 in Virginia|U.S. Route 11]] runs through the center of town as Main Street. [[Interstate 81 (Virginia)|Interstate 81]] runs along the northwest side of the town, with access from Exit 167 to the north and Exit 162 to the south, both with Route 11. [[State Route 43 (Virginia)|State Route 43]] crosses the James River with Route 11 in the center of town; Route 43 leads northwest up the James River to [[U.S. Route 220 (Virginia)|U.S. Route 220]] at [[Eagle Rock, Virginia|Eagle Rock]] and southeast to the [[Blue Ridge Parkway]] and the [[Peaks of Otter]].

===Rail===
The [[CSX Transportation|CSX]] operated [[Richmond and Alleghany Railroad|James River Subdivision]] and [[Norfolk Southern Railway|Norfolk Southern]] operated Roanoke District both run through the town. The closest passenger rail service is located in [[Roanoke station (Virginia)|Roanoke]].

==Notable people==
* [[Mary Johnston]], novelist and women's rights activist
* [[Matthew Ramsey (songwriter)|Matthew Ramsey]], songwriter and lead singer of country-rock music group [[Old Dominion (band)|Old Dominion]]
* [[Hughie Thomasson]], musician and member of [[Outlaws (band)|Outlaws]] and [[Lynyrd Skynyrd]] born in Buchanan
* [[James Patton (Virginia colonist)|James Patton]], first sheriff of Augusta County, owned a "small stone house" around 1750 at [[Virginia State Route 750|Cherry Tree Bottom]], across the [[James River]] from Buchanan.<ref name = "Chalkley3">[https://books.google.com/books?id=wk8PAAAAYAAJ Chalkley, Lyman. ''Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia: Extracted from the Original Court Records of Augusta County, 1745–1800,'' vol III The Commonwealth Printing Company, Rosslyn VA, 1912.]</ref>{{rp|41}}
* [[John Buchanan (Virginia colonist)|John Buchanan]], who lived for many years in the Anchor and Hope Plantation just west of the town.<ref>[https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=43350 A 1932 historical marker, located on the west side of US 52, just south of I-81, reads "Anchor and Hope Plantation—One mile north]</ref><ref name="northamericanforts.com"/><ref name="ReferenceA"/>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://www.buchanan-va.gov/ Town of Buchanan official website]

{{commons category|Buchanan, Virginia}}
{{Botetourt County, Virginia}}
{{Virginia towns}}
{{Virginia}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Towns in Botetourt County, Virginia]]
[[Category:Populated places on the James River (Virginia)]]
[[Category:U.S. Route 11]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1832]]
[[Category:1832 establishments in Virginia]]
[[Category:Towns in Virginia]]